Authors note before we dive in!

Kanatsiohareke is a legit place. I've never been there but I surfed their website and I liked what I saw. The things here are mainly stuff I have imagined and all the people I use are either people I've made up or AC characters. If you want to know more about it, here's the link: .

Ellie pressed her face to the window as Kanatsiohareke came into view. The little houses they passed by seemed to just fit in with the forest, as if they had been there all along. Connor drove slowly down the main street, rolling down his window and waving to people as they went by.

Children started to run by the car, squealing and calling out Connor's Mohawk name. Ellie grinned broadly. This was the happiest she had seen him. He called out something in Mohawk, waving them away as he finally pulled into a drive way.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton! Ratonhnhaké:ton!" a little girl called out as he stepped out of his car. She raced up to him and leaped into his arms. Connor picked her up and spun her around. More kids showed up and started to climb all over him. Soon, he had two boys hanging off his right arm, a little girl on his shoulders, and a boy and a girl clinging to his left leg.

Ellie almost squealed as the kids swarmed him. She rested her arms on top of the Mustang, perching her chin on her palm, and listened as they chattered happily in Mohawk. If this wasn't adorable, she didn't know what was.

Connor looked at her sheepishly, slowly waddling over to her side. He spoke to the kids in Mohawk, looking at them as they all turned towards her.

"Khwe!" the little girl called out, waving her tiny hand at her.

"Hi!" Ellie chirped, waving back.

The boy clinging to Connor's leg let go and walked up to her, cocking his head a little and clasping his hands behind his back. "You're a ia'konkwehti:io," he mumbled, rocking sheepishly on his heels.

Ellie looked at Connor for help. His cheeks were a tinged pink and the two boys clinging to his arm looked dumbfounded. The girl clinging to his leg started giggling and little girl on his shoulders was cracking up.

The boy in front of her turned and scowled at them.

Connor roughly cleared his throat, slightly avoiding eye contact with Ellie. "Andrew, you must speak to her in English. Didn't I already tell you that?"

Andrew looked down at his shoes. "I can't."

Connor shook his head in embarrassed amusement. He looked up at Ellie again, the corner of his lip curling up. "He thinks you're pretty."

Andrew scowled at Connor this time. "Ratonhnhaké:ton!"

Connor shrugged. "She was going to find out eventually," he said, setting the other kids on the ground and somehow managing to convince the other girl to let go of his leg.

Ellie turned towards the house, greeted by the sight of an old woman hobbling out. The woman wore an entertained expression. "Ratonhnhaké:ton," she said happily, hobbling over.

Connor gave her a quick hug. Ellie almost giggled as Connor towered over her, managing not to crush the woman. He gestured to Ellie, letting go of her. "Ahkso, this is Ellie."

Ellie held out her hand. "Hi! It's so nice to finally meet you."

Connor's grandmother disregarded her hand completely and just gave Ellie a hug. "And it's good to finally meet you. Connor has told me a lot about you."

The little kids snickered. Connor shot them a warning glare and hushed them all. As the kids began to act innocent, Ellie wanted to snicker as well.

The old woman chuckled and then she paused and looked at her grandson. She tapped his hip with her cane. "What are you doing? Take her bags inside! I know your mother taught you to act better. And I would expect nothing less of your pompous father," she teased, guiding Ellie inside.

She beckoned to the children, hobbling toward the house. "Have you eaten yet? Or do you want to see more before anything?"

Ellie shrugged. "I'm okay with anything."

Five pairs of shoes ran in after them, racing toward the kitchen.

The old woman held the door open, looking back at Ellie. "You can call me Anna, or Ahkso. I'll answer to either," she explained, frowning toward the child-crowded kitchen.

She barked something in Mohawk and all she had in response was another round of giggles. Connor walked in, holding the straps to his and Ellie's duffel bags easily in one hand. He had his back pack on and her book bag in his other hand.

He led Ellie into the hallway, gesturing to a door.

She opened it and stood aside so he could walk in. He set her stuff down, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry about that," he mumbled.

Ellie grinned, shaking her head. "That was the most adorable thing I have ever seen. Who are they?" she asked, looking around.

Connor hitched his back pack higher, grinning a little. "They live across the street. Josh and I always played with them when we hung out here."

Ellie's grin grew wider and she hopped a little. "You have to formally introduce me when we get back out there. I just want to stick the littlest in my pocket," she squealed.

Connor rolled his eyes. "Everyone says that."

Ellie thumped his shoulder, grinning cheekily. "So, when will I meet Josh?"

"Soon," he replied, walking out of the hallway. Ellie followed him, peering into the room he was setting his stuff in.

After he was situated, she followed him out to the kitchen, where the kids were munching on what looked like granola clusters. Anna was smiling warmly at them. She tapped her cane on the linoleum when she saw Connor and Ellie.

"Introduce yourselves," she ordered, giving the children an expectant look.

The little girl quickly swallowed her mouthful of granola. "I'm Abby! I'd tell you my real name but its hard to say," she piped up. Her dark brown pigtails bounced on her shoulders as she swayed in her seat, staring at Ellie with big brown eyes. Abby pointed up at her excitedly. "Your hair looks like deer hide."

Ellie ignored the choked noise Connor made and smiled at Abby. "That's a good thing, right?" she asked, sharing an amused look with Anna.

"Uh huh!" Abby hardly stayed in her seat as she bounced around.

The two boys that were clinging to Connor's arm earlier raised their hands next. "We're Jacob and Ashton!" they said in unison. Ellie looked between him, attempting to find a defining feature. "Jacob's eyes are darker than mine," Ashton said, pointing at his brother as if he had expected her dilemma. Jacob stuck his tongue out.

Andrew refused to make eye contact with her; he played with a lock from his bangs, looking embarrassed and pink.

The other girl, who looked to be the oldest, piped up last. "I'm Erica. I turned eight last week!" she said proudly. Her long, wavy dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and her eyes resembled shiny dark pools as they looked up at Ellie in admiration.

"You really are pretty, by the way. You might even be prettier than Michelle," she added on, grabbing a handful of granola from the bowl in the middle of the table.

Ellie couldn't stop smiling. She knew she was pretty in her own way, but these kids were acting like she was the prettiest thing they've ever seen.

"Thank you," she said, peeking at Connor out of the corner of her eye. He was shaking his head in pink-faced amusement.

"All right, how about you all help Ratonhnhaké:ton show her around now?" Anna said, taking the bowl from the table.

The kids didn't need to be told twice. Jacob and Ashton grabbed her hands and started to drag her toward the door.

"Let's take her to the Craft Shop first!" Abby squealed, clinging to Connor as he walked behind Ellie.

Ellie wondered if she could take the cuteness to go.

Connor looked up at Abby, who was perched on his shoulders and playing with his hair.

The other kids were showing Ellie around their garden patch, pointing out what their parents were going to plant next spring. Connor gazed at Ellie as Erica showed her she was planning to plant some cucumbers. She smiled and tucked some hair behind her ear as she listened to Erica talk. The fall sunlight shone through the trees, hitting her hair just right.

He knew why Andrew fell in love at first sight.

"Whatcha starin' at Ratonhnhaké:ton?" Abby asked in Mohawk, leaning forward and looking at him. Her pigtails waved in his face as she grinned cheekily at him.

"Your garden," Connor replied in Mohawk, tearing his eyes away from Ellie and focusing on the plants.

"You're lying."

"Am not." He rolled his eyes, feeling his face heat up a bit.

"Liar, liar, pants on fire," Abby sang, not looking convinced.

Connor opened his mouth to reply but a tug on his jacket made him focus on Andrew.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton?"

"Yes?"

"Can I marry Ellie when I'm older?" he asked, biting his lip. He clung to the hem of Connor's jacket, looking anxious.

Connor glanced over at Ellie and then back at Andrew. "That's not my decision. You'll have to ask her," he answered, forcing down laughter.

Andrew pouted unhappily and crossed his arms, not looking nearly as amused as Connor was. Connor's legs were soon occupied by the twins again. "Can we go visit Kanen'tó:kon now?" they asked in unison.

Connor wondered if they practiced that in their free time.

"Let's go!" he called out, waddling toward the Auto Shop.

Ellie held out her hand for Erica and together they caught up to Connor easily. Andrew held out his hand expectantly. Ellie grinned and took it, staying with Connor's pace until they arrived at the Auto Shop. Connor looked up at Abby expectantly.

Abby took a deep breath. "Kanen'tó:kon!" she cried out.

Josh's familiar figure started to walk out of the garage. He halted in the doorway, blinking in surprise.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton!" Josh laughed, hurrying over.

Connor bumped fists with him, quickly bringing his hand back up to hold onto Abby's leg.

Josh did a double take when he noticed Ellie. He looked at Connor in eyebrow-raising surprise. "And who is this? You didn't tell me you were bringing someone," he laughed.

"Josh, this is Ellie."

Josh's eyes widened and he looked at Ellie again. "That Ellie? It's great to meet you!" he said, holding out a hand.

Ellie let go of Erica's hand and shook it. "Likewise! Connor told me a lot about you," she said, grinning.

Josh gave Connor a fake glare. "I hope he didn't tell you about all the shenanigans we got into."

Connor rolled his eyes. "We? You just tagged along while I got into trouble," he said with a chuckle.

Josh shook his head.

"Ellie! Look I found that flower I was talking about!" Erica said, racing over to a patch of weeds growing next to the shop. Ellie winked at Connor before walking over to the patch.

"Those are nice!" Her voice echoed off the building.

Josh leaned close to Connor. "You didn't tell me she was hot!" he said out of the corner of his mouth in Mohawk.

Connor frowned at him. "I didn't know that was vitally important information," he retorted sarcastically. He couldn't explain the bite in his voice.

Abby leaned over again. "Are you gonna' marry her instead of Katsitsoni now?"

Connor gave her an unamused look and shook his head. "I was never going to marry Katsitsoni."

"She said you were!" the twins said.

Connor spluttered and tried to elbow Josh, who was cracking up now. He shoved him a bit as Erica led Ellie back. "We probably need to head back," Connor said, waddling away.

Josh shook Ellie's hand again. "It was nice meeting you," Josh said, throwing Connor a teasing smirk. Connor scowled at him darkly before turning away.

"You were teasing him, weren't you?" Ellie asked.

"Yup. Keep it up for me until tomorrow," Josh replied with a laugh.

"Will do!"

Connor rolled his eyes as the kids giggled. Ellie caught up to them. "He's cool," she said, laughing at his irritation.

"Yeah…a cool pain in the butt."

The kids giggled. "You said butt," Abby laughed, tugging on Connor's hair.

They made it back to Ahkso's house, where Connor sent the kids across the street with the promise to play tomorrow. They stood outside the house together, watching protectively as each child made it safely home. Ellie elbowed him as they made it inside. "What were they teasing you about?"

"Nothing."

Ellie let out a laugh. "Yeah right. Seriously, what were they teasing you about?"

"Nothing."

"Your face said otherwise," she teased, poking his arm as they walked inside.

Connor rolled his eyes, looking down at her. "They were arguing about who would marry you. Andrew's pretty adamant."

She let out a laugh, walking toward the kitchen. "Eh, there's not that big of an age gap is there?"

"He's six," Connor said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ellie shrugged. "I can wait. It's only ten years," she said with a wink.

Connor shook his head in amusement, heading toward the kitchen.

Poor Andrew.

Ellie hopped in excitement while Connor pulled his shoes on. "Hurry up!"

"Hold your horses."

"No."

She pouted angrily at him, zipping up her hoodie. "I might just go without you."

"Yeah right."

"Hmph."

He started to slowly tie his boot. He peeked up at her, going even slower.

"You jerk! You're going slow on purpose!" Ellie laughed, lightly shoving his shoulder.

He laughed and quickly finished tying the double knot. Standing up, he pulled on his hoodie. "Let's go."

Ellie followed him outside, breathing in the fresh morning air. He started to walk toward a trail in the woods. "Where are you taking me?" she asked, catching up to him.

"To a special place here."

Ellie looked around as he led her deeper into the forest. Finally stopping at a creek, he clambered onto a large rock sitting near the bank. He held out a hand and helped her up. Ellie looked out at the creek.

"It's so peaceful here," she said quietly. She feared she would disturb the peace if she talked to loudly.

Connor pointed to a spot in the creek. "That part is 10 feet and deeper than anywhere else in the creek. When our ancestors found this place, they saw how the water would churn up the debris from the bottom of that in the spring when all the snow melted. It looks like the water is boiling when that happens. Some call it 'The boiling pot' or 'The hanging pot' or some other names. My mother called it 'The boiling pot'."

He shifted his weight to his other foot, continuing, "This pothole was called Kanatsiohareke, so when the Reservation was established in 1993, they named it after this place."

Ellie cocked her head, crossing her arms as she looked at the darker spot. "Wow."

She looked up at him, opening her mouth to ask another question, but shut it when she saw his expression.

Ellie recognized that look. She saw it in the mirror every time she thought about her parents. Her gaze went back to the creek and she let him think in silence, waiting for him to talk when he was ready.

"I want her here," he said quietly, stuffing his hands in his hoodie pocket. Ellie leaned her arm against his, sighing.

"I know."

They stood in silence, watching the water flow sluggishly along.

"I told the kids we would take the horses out today," he finally said, shaking the sadness off and hopping down from the rock.

He held his arms out and Ellie let him help her down. "Alright! Take them where?" she asked, trying to get his mind off of his mom.

"Just out on a trail. The ponies need to get out anyway," he answered, holding a branch out of the way.

She quickly walked forward and he followed, letting the branch go gently. "Awesome! I haven't gone trail riding in years."

"So I won't have to hold onto your reins like I have to for Abby?" he teased.

She playfully shoved him. "Jerk."

"Nag."

"Ox."

"Takohs."

"What?" Ellie laughed, tugging on his sleeve.

"You heard me."

"What's a takohs?"

"Ask one of the kids."

Ellie laughed and shoved him again. "You really are a jerk!"

He just chuckled and kept walking.

They walked back to his grandma's house and the kids were waiting for them.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton! Ellie!" Jacob and Ashton called out as they walked up.

Erica rolled her eyes at her younger brothers. Abby ran forward to cling to Connor's leg. "We're taking the ponies out still right?" Abby whined.

Ellie held back a squeal when Connor managed to pry her from his leg, perching her on his hip instead.

He's going to be such a good dad someday, she thought as they started to make their way to the stables. She held onto the twins' hands. Erica and Andrew walked next to Connor, chattering in Mohawk.

Ellie let go of the boys' hands as they ran towards the older man walking out of the barn. Memories of her father taking her horseback riding popped up as she admired the horses.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton, it's about time you came and visited us!" the older man laughed, holding his arms out.

Connor handed Abby over. "Khwe Tóta!" she chirped as the old man wrapped her up in a big hug.

Connor leaned close to Ellie as the other kids swamped the man. "This is Jon," he murmured out of the corner of his mouth.

Ellie nodded, smiling at Jon, who finally managed to pry the kids odd of him. "I'm Jon! And you must be Ellie," he said with a smile, holding his hand out.

Ellie shook it. "That I am."

Jon tipped his hat up. "Anna told us about you. Connor here hasn't gossiped about you too much to her so we're all curious."

Ellie peeked at Connor. As usual when staged with human interaction, he looked ready to internally combust.

Jon gestured to the horses. "I'll let you get the horses ready Ratonhnhaké:ton. Ellie, would you mind helping me get the kids settled?"

Ellie grinned. "I would love to."

Ellie swore to never have five kids after the experience.

They had to put on boots and even though Abby was adorable, the four year old was not willing to cooperate. The twins wouldn't stop having hay fights and Andrew got caught in the crossfire. Erica was the only one who behaved and she kept giving Ellie apologetic looks.

They finally walked out of the barn as Connor was hooking up the smallest pony to a post. His gaze went from her head to her toes and he held back a snicker.

Ellie pouted at him. "What?"

Connor gestured to his head. "You have a little hay here."

Ellie rolled her eyes and brushed it away. Jon tapped Connor on the shoulder. "I'll take Abby and the twins. You two get Erica and Andrew," he said, gesturing to the horses.

Connor nodded, saying something in Mohawk. He glanced at Ellie apologetically but she waved it off. She honestly liked it when they spoke their native language. It was pretty cool.

Connor led her and the older kids to the horses toward the posts at the end. He helped the kids get on the ponies and he motioned toward the second to last horse.

The palomino mare turned her head and whickered as they approached. Ellie moved to put her foot in the stirrup, but strong hands slid around her waist and lifted her up before she could. Her breath hitched in her throat and her waist tingled as she looked down at Connor from the saddle.

He quickly let go and moved to get on his own horse, which was a buckskin mare. Ellie grinned and swung her leg over, getting her feet in the stirrups.

Connor couldn't even look at her, but she didn't care.

Whydidyoudothatwhydidyoudoth atwhydidyoudothat?! Connor yelled at himself, over and over in his head as he led the line of horses. Ellie must think he was weird for helping her up. Peeking over his shoulder, he gazed at her while acting like he was checking up on the kids.

Ellie was looking around at the field they were slowly walking through, focus captured by the bristling brush. The wind picked up and started to blow her ponytail around. At that moment, their gazes locked and she grinned.

Connor quickly turned back around, roughly clearing his throat and pulling the group over to underneath a tree. He dismounted, hurrying to help Andrew and Erica. Ellie was already standing on the ground, reins in hand. Connor tied the horses to a post that Jon had put there and sat beneath the tree as the kids climbed above him.

Ellie plopped down beside him, leaning back on her palms and glancing at him. "So," she said, smirking impishly, "why the chivalry today?"

He shrugged, trying for nonchalance as his insides burned. "I didn't want you to fall or anything. You never told me if I had to hold your reins or not."

She playfully shoved his arm. "Jerk," she chuckled.

Connor grinned bashfully, hoping that she would drop it. Glancing down at her, he tensed up as she leaned on his arm.

Connor took a deep breath and moved his hand back; resting his weight on it, he let her lean more on his side rather than his shoulder.

He didn't know why, but she seemed to like leaning on him. Must be the Protector Syndrome she told him about.

He didn't care.